Good Lp Recording?, Need advice on LP to CD-RW setup Options

[Thebookdoc]

I do a lot with computers having a background in image editing, but I am pretty new to digital audio (in the recording sense). I was a hi-fi enthusiast in my teens and collected some 1500 LPs that I'd like to transfer to CD. I can stand doing it slowly over a period of years, but need some advice on hooking the stereo into the computer and making the digital conversion -- I'm OK burning the CDs. I've a pretty nice audio setup with a preamp, and assume I can hook to the G4 with one of the various outs from the preamp. However, that is where the magic stops. Then I start making assumptions. Here's obviously where I need help.

1. I would assume I can get an RCA IN PCI card? If so, recommendations? I can't seem to find what I am looking for, most being digital OUTs.

2. Software recommendations for analog/digital conversion? I would want to do limited editing at this point -- and perhaps none (pops and clicks -- similar to where I started with digital image editing).

Or is there a better way? I assume I'd not really need a mixer of any sort considering the preamp.

In the long run, I might want to do some recording. I have an old 4 track TEAC reel-to-reel, and used to do some audio production in an analog environment, but that was back in the college radio station. Perhaps there are suggestions for a simple system with potential for upgrade?

Thanks...forgive my ignorance if this is easier than it seems.

Richard

[gregaber]

1) Yes - Current project is recording me playing classical piano in my living room. Am using Stereo Mic to Mic input on Edirol, then USB output to PB, using CDSD to record then export to Toast to burn. The only thing I've noticed is the Input Level seems low [watching CDSD during recording] even when Edirol input turned all the way up but when I burned a CD it was quite loud when played back on my stereo. Compared the same classical piano piece on a store-bought CD to my playing and mine was noticeably louder at same volume setting. I picked up some minor buzzing in my recording so I can turn the input level down a bit and hope the buzzing will go away. It's very minor and I have to turn it up real loud to hear it, louder than you'd ever listen to classical piano music. Just haven't had a chance to verify lower input level makes buzzing go away.

2) I'm done doing the LP conversions, however I used the Line In that came on my G4 desktop. Stereo to Line in on G4, used CDSD to record and clean up pops/scratches/etc then Toast to burn CD. Worked great. No complaints. For your LP conversion I would try the Mic In on the PB. No harm in trying. Worst case, you go out and buy the Edirol UA20 and it will definitely do the trick. Either way, be prepared to sink some time into LP to CD conversion process. It takes a while because you listen to everything twice; once during the recording session and again during the cleanup of pops/scratches.

This post has been edited by gregaber: Sun 4 Jan 2004, 04:43